The Baltimore Police Department’s specialized gun units are facing scrutiny after two recent police shootings. Residents of a predominantly Black neighborhood complained about officers harassing residents and escalating peaceful encounters. Critics argue that these units disproportionately affect low-income communities of color. The department defends the units, stating their focus is on strategic arrests of individuals perpetuating violent crime. Lea Skene, The Associated Press reported
In 2017, the Baltimore Police Department disbanded its plainclothes gun squad following a corruption scandal. The department promised to increase oversight while still focusing on seizing illegal weapons and reducing violence. However, recent incidents involving the department’s specialized units have raised concerns about their operations.
The most recent shooting, which occurred on Tuesday afternoon, has not yet had its body camera footage released. Local residents in the southwest Baltimore neighborhood expressed anger over what they perceive as an unnecessary loss of life. This incident has highlighted a long-standing issue in the majority-Black community: certain officers are known for harassing residents and escalating peaceful encounters.
Rashawn McNeil, a resident of the neighborhood, stated that officers often jump out on them without reason, leading to negative interactions. McNeil questioned why the police fired so many shots during the recent shooting. According to officials, officers from the District Action Team, a squad focused on seizing illegal guns, approached a man who appeared to be armed. The man, later identified as Hunter Jessup, fled and allegedly pointed a gun at the police during the chase. Four officers then opened fire, resulting in Jessup’s death.
The day after the shooting, McNeil and his brother were outside their usual spot when they discussed the disdain they feel from the DAT officers. They described the officers as easily recognizable due to their unique attire, which includes police vests. These officers patrol the city’s most violent neighborhoods, neither fully uniformed nor in plainclothes.
Police Commissioner Richard Worley defended the officers’ actions, emphasizing that they repeatedly told Jessup to drop his weapon. He commended the officers for apprehending an armed individual. The creation of the DAT squads came after the disbandment of the Gun Trace Task Force, which faced federal racketeering charges for robbing the city and its residents through illegal searches and planted evidence. This corruption scandal prompted reform efforts within the Baltimore Police Department.
The use of specialized police units has presented challenges in other cities as well. In Memphis, the SCORPION unit was permanently disbanded after body camera footage showed members beating Tyre Nichols to death. These plainclothes task forces focus on illegal guns and repeat violent offenders.
Daniel Webster, a professor at Johns Hopkins University, believes that the success of specialized gun units depends on a focused approach. He suggests that the focus should be on individuals who are actively involved in violence rather than engaging in broad enforcement. A study conducted by Webster’s team found that many respondents believed the Baltimore police were targeting the wrong people. Webster argues that enforcing gun laws without evidence causes harm and distrust, as people often carry weapons for self-protection rather than intending to commit violence.
Critics argue that the DAT teams disproportionately affect low-income communities of color, as their mission is to proactively patrol neighborhoods with high levels of violence. Despite the name change, the teams have been criticized for maintaining troublesome tactics. The Baltimore Police Department claims to take misconduct complaints seriously and imposes discipline when necessary, but recent reforms have focused on the department’s internal discipline process.
Less than six months prior to the recent shooting, another police shooting occurred under similar circumstances nearby. In that incident, DAT officers tried to stop a teenager they believed was armed. The teenager ran away, holding a gun, and an officer shot him from behind.
Rashawn McNeil and his older brother, Rashad McNeil, expressed frustration with having to assert their constitutional rights when encountering certain officers. They believe that these officers view everyone as suspects unless they are old or a certain color, which they find dehumanizing..